Five friends meet on a beach on Christmas Eve. The next morning one of them is dead, the others are unconscious. When the police investigate, the survivors clam up and are so unhelpful it is immediately suspicious. What were they doing there and what is the link to the body found underneath a carpark?

I enjoyed this police procedural which had two appealing police officers at its core. Their relationship is intriguing and made me want to know more about them. I'll be looking out for more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I have read the previous books in the series and enjoyed them very much. I was looking forward to reading this and was not disappointed. It has great characters and a compelling mystery. Highly recommend.

Blink of an Eye, the fourth in Butler and West series, is one of the most intriguing British police procedurals published today. The talented Louisa Scarr combines the tedious details of investigations with characters whose private lives drive their professional behavior and with atmospheric, well described settings. Although all can be read as standalones, each in the series leaves you wanting more. Blink of an Eye is certainly no exception.

When five bodies are found on a freezing beach on Christmas morning, overdoses are first suspected. One man, a lawyer in the end stages of terminal cancer is dead, another unconscious man is has frostbite while a man and two women are treated and released. None can or will speak to the police, so DS Robin Butler and DC Freya West look for links between the five. They find one which links this case to a twenty year old one, now coincidentally being investigated by Freya’s new lover Josh.

As the cases slowly move to resolution, the tension between Robin and Freya builds. I want so much (do you hear me, Louisa Scarr?) for them to be together but they are always miss the right moment. Robin, with his gruff, dark nature, and the vulnerable, intelligent Freya are perfect partners…at work. This pairing adds to much to this excellent thriller. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and Louisa Scarr for this ARC.

A really enjoyable read that kept me guessing until the end. It was twisty and unpredictable and I didn't know what to think or who to trust. A great read

A Smart Narrative…
The third in the Butler & West series, although could happily be read as a standalone, finds Christmas Day dawning and DS Butler on the beach. This is no early morning Christmas walk, however. Five unresponsive people have been discovered, one of whom is already pronounced dead. As duty also calls on DC Freya West, it becomes clear that this is one Christmas that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. A solid mystery with a tangled web at heart, perfectly crafted characters and a smart narrative. Both compelling and immersive.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Canelo and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


An interesting story, thrilling and entertaining.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Blink of an Eye by Lousia Scarr. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for providing an ARC to review.

Five friends go to a beach in the middle of winter, and only four leave. It is up to DS Robin Butler and DC Freya West to find out if this was an accident or murder.

Blink of an Eye is the first book I have read by this author, and it will not be the last. I will be going back to read the first two in the series sooner than later. I found the mystery to be well crafted. Add in the intricate emotional connection between our two detectives, and I was hooked from start to end. My only complaint is that the last chapter felt a bit rushed but that only makes me want to read the next book ASAP.

Blink of an eye by Louisa Scarr.
Butler and West book 3.
Five friends meet. Only four come home.
On Christmas morning, DS Robin Butler has no plans to celebrate. He'll be glad to get back to work - a wish that comes true sooner than he anticipates. A dog walker at a local beach has discovered five unresponsive people strewn across the shingle. By the time Robin arrives, one is pronounced dead, and the other four are being treated in hospital.
I did enjoy this book. Great story and characters. I had no clue it was who it was. I had a guess but I was wrong. I hope there is more to come. 5*.